Hi guys,
I'm new to VGC and I need help with this team. The strategy is to use Red Card Recycle Kelfki to shuffle up the opponents team and constantly hit them hard. I tried this team a couple times and it has won and lost some. I'd appreciate any help and criticism given. Klefki is staying while Tyranitar and Gyarados do wonderfully on the team. Should I switch up the other pokes, and if so, with what?
Klefki is one of my leads 90% of the time and usually paired with Tyranitar, Scrafty or Gyarados.
Klefki (M) @ Red Card
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Recycle
- Thunder Wave
- Light Screen/Spikes
- Draining Kiss
The main point, Prankster Recycle with the Red Card to constantly switch the opponent out when I'm hit. Thunder Wave for speed control and possible paralysis. I made Klefki defensive because the metagame is very physical, so I added Light Screen to provide some special defense. I know spikes isn't a major move in VGC but because of the opponents constantly being switched out, extra damage would be appreciated. Draining Kiss is for recovery and just incase I get Taunted.
Scrafty (M) @ Assault Vest/Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
IVs: 28 SpA
- Fake Out
- Drain Punch
- Rock Slide
- Crunch/Protect
The Dark portion of the core, Scrafty is doing well in VGC. Intimidate for the physical attackers, Fake Out for priority flinch, Drain Punch for STAB recovery, and Rock Slide to hit both pokes and to hit Talonflame and Megazard Y. I'm debating over Crunch for coverage or Protect because its so amazing in VGC. The item is dependent on the last move, Assault Vest with Crunch to add some bulk, and Lum Berry for Protect incase Scrafty gets statused.
(The SpAtk IV's are 28 because that's what my in game Scrafty has)
Gyarados (M) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Protect
Gyarados does phenomenal on this team. It is a threatening, bulky, speedy attacker, and actually one of my favorite pokemons. Intimidate is the same reason as Scrafty, as double Intimidate is always nice. Dragon Dance is very threatening and having Gyarados set up a Dragon Dance is amazing. Waterfall for STAB and Ice Fang for the many dragon types that are in VGC. Finally Protect to scout. I have the Safety Goggles on so Gyarados won't take damage from the sandstorm and to avoid Rage Powders and Spores.
Alakazam (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Protect
To finish off the core, I needed a strong, special attacking Psychic type. Between the choices of Alakazam, Gothitelle, and Reuniclus, I chose Alakazam because the other two kinda counter acted my team. The usual Focus Sash set, with Energy Ball for coverage against Rotom-Wash and Azumarill. Alakazam has done okay during the battles but not quite what I need.
Kangaskhan-Mega @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Parental Bond
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Power-Up Punch
- Protect
- Earthquake/Sucker Punch
Mega Kanghaskan, the 2nd most used Pokemon in VGC as of June 2014. I just felt as part of this team needing hard hitters that it would fit in as the Mega and an extremely hard hitter. The usual set, because it works best.
Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 140 Atk / 252 SpA
Rash Nature
- Protect
- Dark Pulse
- Rock Tomb
- Flamethrower
Finally, I looked at my team and I felt Tyranitar would do well. Tyranitar can replace Scrafty in the core, and he actually does very well. Protect because everything should run protect. Dark Pulse for a strong, reliable STAB and to hit Aegislash, which I couldn't hit before. Rock Tomb because it OHKOs Talonflame, Megazard Y and Mega Pinsir while providing speed control. Flamethrower is to hit steel types I couldn't hit before such as Ferrothorn, Mega Mawile, and Scizor. I'm choosing to make this a mixed Ttar so he isn't effected badly by Intimidate and burn. Rash Nature is so I can hit strong with the special attacks while not taking power away from the physical side.
